Mavs Lose PJ Washington to Ankle Injury Ahead of Clippers Clash

Dallas' frontcourt depth tested with multiple key players sidelined

Apr. 12, 2026 at 1:35pm

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a basketball game, with sharp, overlapping planes of color and form representing the dynamic action on the court.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the chaos and uncertainty surrounding the Mavericks' depleted frontcourt as they face a crucial matchup against the Clippers.Inglewood Today

Just moments before tip-off against the LA Clippers, the Dallas Mavericks suffered a major blow as forward PJ Washington sprained his right ankle during pregame warmups. Washington, who has been a standout this season, was immediately ruled out, leaving the Mavs without their top three big men against a tough Western Conference opponent.

Why it matters

The Mavericks' injury woes come at a critical juncture, as they look to solidify their playoff positioning in the competitive Western Conference. With Washington, Anthony Davis, Daniel Gafford, and Dereck Lively II all sidelined, the team's frontcourt depth will be severely tested against the Clippers' formidable lineup.

The details

PJ Washington suffered the ankle sprain after landing awkwardly during pregame warmups. The Mavericks were already without Anthony Davis (left calf strain), Daniel Gafford (right ankle soreness), and Dereck Lively II (right foot discomfort), leaving them shorthanded in the frontcourt against the Clippers.

  • PJ Washington suffered the ankle injury just moments before tip-off against the LA Clippers on April 12, 2026.
  • Anthony Davis was sidelined for the second night of a back-to-back after playing in the Mavericks' loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on April 11, 2026.
  • Daniel Gafford has been managing soreness in his right ankle since a sprain during training camp.
  • Dereck Lively II did not make the road trip as he is being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his surgically repaired right foot.

The players

PJ Washington

A standout forward for the Dallas Mavericks who has been averaging career-highs of 16.0 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season.

Anthony Davis

A veteran big man for the Mavericks who was sidelined for a month with a left calf strain before returning, but was held out of the Clippers game due to the back-to-back.

Daniel Gafford

A Mavericks center who has been managing soreness in his right ankle since a sprain during training camp.

Dereck Lively II

A Mavericks rookie who did not make the road trip as he is being evaluated for swelling and discomfort in his surgically repaired right foot.

LA Clippers

The Mavericks' Western Conference opponent they were set to face, with a formidable frontcourt lineup.

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What they’re saying

“We must find a way to adapt and overcome these injuries. Our depth will be tested, but I believe in this team's resilience.”

— Jason Kidd, Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

What’s next

The Mavericks will need to quickly adjust their game plan and rotations to account for the multiple frontcourt absences. Coach Jason Kidd will have to get creative with his lineups and find ways to maximize the production of the available players. The team's ability to weather this storm of injuries could have major implications on their playoff positioning in the West.

The takeaway

The Mavericks' injury woes highlight the importance of roster depth in the NBA, especially for contending teams. With multiple key big men sidelined, Dallas will need to demonstrate its resilience and adaptability to overcome this challenge and maintain its standing in the Western Conference playoff race.